Pancho Campo MW is no longer listed as a ‘fugitive’ on the Interpol website.
Campo had been named as being wanted for fraud in Dubai, and a warrant was posted on the Interpol website to that effect.
In a message sent to journalists on 21 July Campo, the founder and president of The Wine Academy of Spain said: ‘I have been informed today that Interpol accepted my request to take my name out of their list. They have found that a mistake was made and an injustice was committed against me.
‘Finally my name is out of their website and I am no longer a “wanted” person. Thanks for your support and for believing in me.’
Decanter attempted without success to contact Campo’s lawyers to clarify the current status of his conviction for fraud in Dubai.
The Interpol warrant related to a 2002 complaint brought by former business partner Jackie Wartanian to do with a fee paid to singer Enrique Iglesias. At the time Campo ran a sports and music promotion company in Dubai.
In June 2003 in Dubai Campo was found guilty in absentia of breach of trust and given a one-year custodial sentence followed by deportation.
After decanter.com reported the warrant in October 2009, Campo stepped down as director of the Wine Future Rioja conference and resigned as president of the Spanish Wine Academy.
Kevin Zraly of New York’s Windows on the World wine school, took over as chair of the conference.
Written by Jim Budd
